Author's Note: Feedback welcome!

Two: The Defeat of Naga

Loud laughter boomed through Marucho's house as the Bakugan Battle Brawlers celebrated the defeat of Naga and the saving of both Vestroia and Earth, once and for all.

The Bakugan were gone, sadly, but that didn't mean everyone else couldn't celebrate, and the six Brawlers, plus their new friends, were all in the mood to party. Except for Shun, it seemed, but no one except Dan seemed terribly bothered by that.

"Come on, dude," said Dan, tugging at Shun's arm. Shun didn't budge. "You gotta dance! We saved the world – both of 'em. Doesn't that make you want to party?"

Shun gave Dan a flat look over his tea. He didn't twitch no matter how hard Dan tugged on his free arm.

"Give it up, Dan. If he wants to ruin the party, let him," said Runo. "Come dance with me."

Dan glanced back at Runo, then turned and pouted at Shun. "Please?" asked Dan, giving Shun his most pathetic puppy dog eyes.

"No," said Shun.

"I'll get you some lunch!" said Dan.

"No."

Dan grinned as he spoke. "I'll be your best friend!"

Shun just looked at him. Dan pouted again.

"Come on, dude, there's gotta be some way to make you come dance with me. You're an awesome dancer, you just gotta loosen up and actually dance once in a while," said Dan.

Shun sipped his tea. Silent.

"Now you're just doing that on purpose," said Dan.

"Doing what?" said Shun.

Dan just looked at him. It was the same look Shun had given Dan a thousand times. One of exasperation and general frustration. To be quite honest, Shun was impressed that Dan had managed to recreate it so well, all things considered.

"Dan, come dance with us," said Joe.

"Yeah, Shun'll get up eventually," said Chan Lee.

The others all agreed. Dan frowned and looked between Shun and the others.

"Go dance," said Shun, nodding to the others. They had all gone back to eating, dancing, and chatting. Shun and Dan's discussion forgotten in a moment. "I don't feel like it."

Dan dropped down next to Shun on the bench. He leaned against the wall and folded his arms.

"You know, if I was your husband, you'd have to tell me," said Dan.

Shun raised an eyebrow. "How do you figure?"

"I dunno. My mom just always says that to my dad when he's being a butt," replied Dan.

Shun snorted. It wasn't a laugh, not quite, but it was close.

"See," said Dan, grinning at him. "You do care."

"'Course I care," muttered Shun. "I just don't feel like partying."

Dan nodded. "That's fair." And it was, really, Shun knew. And people really should give Dan more credit for his intelligence. The guy was pretty insightful when he wanted to be.

"You still owe me a ring," said Shun, absently.

Dan blinked. "What?"

"If you want to marry me, you still owe me a ring. Remember?"

Dan grinned. "Yeah, I do. And I will find you one, I swear."

Shun smiled and said nothing else. Of that, he thought, he had no doubt.